TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Salcete on Thursday welcomed Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar’s action to ban Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik from entering Goa, with voices from the countryside favouring a permanent ban on the Ram Sene chief.
Eminent city-based cardiologist, Dr Francisco Colaco termed the government’s decision as bold, right and timely. He said the decision should be an example for the Congress government in Karnataka, which talks so much about secularism. “Though Karnataka had witnessed violent incidents by Ram Sene activist during the BJP regime, the Congress should have mustered the courage and initiated action against the organisation,” Dr Colaco said. He however, hoped that the government ban is not a short term measure to allay the strong opposition from all quarters to Ram Sene.
Fr Eremito Rebello, a Professor at the Rachol seminary has welcomed the ban, but at the same time sought to know whether Parrikar is really fully convinced that Muthalik should not be allowed entry into Goa. “Knowing the mind of Parrikar and his RSS background, it appears that the CM has ordered the ban without conviction. Let us wait and see whether Parrikar would renew the ban after the expiry of the order,” Fr Rebello said.
The director of controversial tiatr, Akantvadi Goeant Naka, Tousif de Navelim, who received over a 100 threatening calls to stop his show, said he respects and welcomes Chief Minister’s decision on the ban. He, however, hastened to add that Muthalik should be permanently banned from entering Goa. “If the government imposes a permanent ban on Muthalik, I along with Goans will fully support the Chief Minister,” he said, while expressing his gratitude to Goans for rallying behind him when he was inundated with threatening calls from Ram Sene and other organisations. “Ram Sene and Muthalik have not yet set foot on Goan soil and see the threats issued by them from Karnataka. Just imagine what would happen if they set up its unit in Goa,” Tousif said.
Colva Sarpanch Snowkon Gonsalves has welcomed the government decision on banning Muthalik’s entry. “The government has taken the right decision. Muthalik has been antagonising Goan society and vitiating the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the State,” he said.
BJP supporter and former Margao Municipal chairperson Savio Coutinho has also welcomed the Chief Minister’s action. “The government should be lauded for the decision. Muthalik has been acting in an arrogant manner,” he said.
While welcoming the government action, Cavelossim villager Cruz Cardozo criticised Muthalik for saying that the BJP has become a Bharatiya Jesus Party. “This shows that Muthalik is communal. His entry will only vitiate communal harmony in Goa. The government should never allow him entry,” Cruz said.
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I fully welcome the decision. His entry would have spoiled the peace and harmony existing among the Goan communities. The Ram Sene chief and his men deserved to be banned from entering the State.
— Fisheries Minister, Avertano Furtado
“I had taken up with the CM Muthalik’s statements and those by Dhavalikar brothers. In fact, I had participated in the dharna in Navelim against Sudin and the Ram Sene over their statements on culture.
— Benaulim MLA, Caitano Silva
No one has the right to come from outside Goa and disturb our peace and harmony existing. Hindus, Christians and Muslims have been living peacefully over decades. Parrikar has taken the right decision.
— Velim MLA, Benjamin D’Silva
I had told the CM long ago that these kind of elements shouldn’t be allowed to vitiate society. As an alliance partner, the GVP is very happy about this decision.
– Nuvem MLA and GVP supremo, Francisco Mickky Pacheco
“We would like to know whether this is a permanent ban or a temporary one. When Congress had filed the complaint, the police refused to file an FIR and now Chief Minister’s announcement of banning the outfit clearly shows that our complaint was well justified” — Durgadas Kamat, Congress Spokesperson
